Do you think there be supply work in Sept ?

[habibihabibi]

Probably repatriating to London after many years abroad.
I was wondering how supply would work out with current covid returning to school polices.

I certainly wouldn’t want to do supply at the moment.

Going from school to school, covering teachers who may be off with potential Covid, sounds hellish. You’d be with all the children and colleagues the symptomatic teachers had been with the day before.

Yes there will be plenty of supply work. Supply will work the same as usual in that you get a daily rate but I don’t think we will pay any sick pay as that is dealt with by your agency.

In Scotland, we are back on the 10th August, they are trying to assign supply to particular schools in secondary or learning communities (geographical) in primary to reduce exposing pupils to staff who are in and out of numerous environments.

But our supply system is totally different and there are no agencies involved.

I would think it can only be a an employee's market in the current circumstances .

Spoke to my agency’s consultant recently, and was told things aren’t looking good for supply for September despite all the ads you might see
☹️
(Hampshire)

I think if you want to do longer term contracts - maternity cover - that supply will still be around as normal. Day to day is looking less promising because of trying to keep schools safe by reducing the number of randomers walking in and out. However, as long as schools are in, it is going to be the case that supply will be needed to cover the usual absence even without considering the covid situation so there will be some work about but it really is a case of whether you feel confident enough to do it (young? healthy?)

I am a keen follower of the job situation locally (north west) and did supply for a few years so I know a number of HODs in my subject as well as staff who I am in contact with. I am aware of a handful of vacancies (retirements, one late resignation to avoid capability) that haven't been recruited for because they just don't feel a zoom interview with no teaching observation is good enough to be appointing permanently (or even for a year). As a result, there will be some vacancies that will need to be filled come September but much is really going to depend on how long we are in for. I think it will be a tough, but not impossible, year for supply and with a bit of luck, you might just get something that works for you. Sign up to several agencies as that should help.

Yes, I think there will be some work. There will still be teacher absence to cover - possibly more than normal if people are having to self isolate. There’ll be less people out on courses though.

I suspect you'll find that once you get a school that likes you, you'll get pretty much continuous work from them to cover a merry go round of absence. I think Schools will try to have one or two "go to" supplies to minimise risk. So that could work in your favour eventually. Getting your foot in the door in the first place could be tricky. You might also find that there are last minute long term placements in September when teachers are faced with the reality of going back to full classes with all the risk that entails.... and opt to go off sick instead.

I think there will be a fair bit of supply if people have to self-isolate with symptoms, especially as the term gets going. I think what other people have suggested about contacting a few local schools could be a good idea (although most do go through agencies now).

But if teachers are off self isolating then their class will be too. Surely the only time this may be risky is on the day they are off being tested (if symptomatic) then dependent on the result they will either be back in class or the whole class/bubble will be off too? I’m a TA but imaging if the teacher in my bubble is off to take a test I’d possibly be asked to cover on that day to prevent additional adults entering the bubble. So many unknowns still around how things will be when we go back.

I'm not sure how it'll work to be honest. In primary, it would make sense for a teacher's bubble to be tested. I'm a secondary teacher. I teach around 250 pupils a week, who in turn will be taught by other teachers who teach other pupils. I think in secondary we will need more supply (purely anecdotal though).

It’s difficult though, isn’t it. If a teacher has a temperature and a cough and phones in saying she is self isolating and is getting a test, it’s not as simple as saying she’ll get tested that day and back the next if negative. She may not drive, the mobile test centre may not be there that day, she may have to get a postal test (5 days from start to finish for my DF).

As a supply teacher, I would be wary of going into that class and teaching those children/working with the TA who the previous teacher has been working closely with for days. We are supposed to stay 2m away, but in our tiny classrooms with rubbish ventilation, I think if someone in a classroom has Covid, lots of the class will also have it after 6 hours together. I can see why supply teachers would be reluctant.

Supply teachers could potentially see large numbers of children over a week-schools may find them to be super spreaders themselves!

We use a handful of supplies that the head knows and likes. All were older or shielding during lockdown and I don’t think will be returning to supply.

Hopefully the 90 minute test will be available to schools by the start of term.

@whatsleep

Hopefully the 90 minute test will be available to schools by the start of term.

Is the 90 minute test available to anyone at the moment? Scottish schools go back next week.

It said in the news last week that when available, it will cost ‘tens of pounds’ -Let’s hope that doesn’t have to come out of schools budgets or it won’t actually be happening.

It would be the perfect solution to school testing as it would reduce disruption massively. No need for anyone to take time off to take the test and wait for results. I have no idea what the plan in I am just aware that there is a 90 minute test In production. All down to Boris I guess 🤷‍♀️

The 90 minute test is being trialled by the University of Southampton I think.

I expect there will be lots of supply as staff sickness will rise as a result of CV and ECV staff members returning and an increase in those with anxiety related absence.

@whatsleep

But if teachers are off self isolating then their class will be too. Surely the only time this may be risky is on the day they are off being tested (if symptomatic) then dependent on the result they will either be back in class or the whole class/bubble will be off too? I’m a TA but imaging if the teacher in my bubble is off to take a test I’d possibly be asked to cover on that day to prevent additional adults entering the bubble. So many unknowns still around how things will be when we go back.

Not necessarily. The teacher may be self isolating for a number of reasons E.g. a sick family member or instructed to isolate by track and trace. Or, because another staff member who they have been in close contact with, has tested positive.

If they are self isolating due to having symptoms, the class doesn’t automatically have to self isolate. That would only be if the test came back positive and there may be a few days between developing symptoms, and getting the test result.

@whatsleep

Hopefully the 90 minute test will be available to schools by the start of term.

Nick Gibb said yesterday that these tests wouldn’t be used in schools.

Priorities are elsewhere, apparently. Despite the government making it clear that schools are their number one priority.

Hmmm